Heart storms, p.13
Heart Storms, page 13
“Don’t issue an ultimatum, Jade. Give me more time.”
“More time?” She stood up and braced herself on the edge of his desk. “I’m fed up with rejection and excuses. I’ve given you almost a year. Few women would’ve waited so long. I love you and know you have strong feelings for me. What’s the real problem?”
Rick stood and paced to the windows and back. “It’s more than my issues of loss. I don’t want to hurt you. I don’t want to drag you into my paralyzing emotional life because you’ll get caught up in it, too. I’d draw you in then cast you out. I’d never forgive myself for ruining my chances with you, or worse, hurting you more than I’m hurting you now.”
As the words left Rick’s mouth, lightning flashed and thunder roared seconds later, illuminating the world directly outside the window next to Rick’s desk. They both startled, looked outside, then at each other. The sound and vibration shook them and spoke to them as it had when they’d first met. Rick looked worried and scared. Jade walked to him. “At the end of my interview with you last February, I remember you saying thunder and lightning struck when you needed help to decide. At the end of the interview, you hired me and brought me into your life. Today, you’re letting me go. Interesting, it happens again, when you’ve just made a critical decision affecting both of us.”
“Could be. But it doesn’t change the situation.”
“I think you’re missing the point. It seems God, or fate, or whatever orchestrates the events of our lives might be trying to say you’re making the wrong decision in letting me go.”
The next thunderclap cracked directly above them so hard he thought the inn might split in half right through his office. The lights flickered; they jumped and looked around. With the window open, electricity in the air prickled at their skin and the hair on their arms stood up. Shaken, Jade said, “Something’s trying desperately to get through to you, Rick.”
He rubbed his arms, feeling bewildered. “I don’t know what’s going on. But I think the inn or the grounds may have taken a hit. I think the generator kicked in, so I need to check the breaker box and everywhere else for damage. That strike was close.”
With her senses heightened by shock waves moving through the air, Jade saw the truth veiled within them. “The inn and the grounds are fine. The strike was close, but I think the only thing to take a hit was you. I think the voice of God or whatever you believe in, is trying to warn you you’re making a big mistake.”
With a serious face, cool eyes and no smile, Rick said, “It doesn’t matter what God says. This is all I’m capable of right now.”
He might as well have torn her heart out with his bare hands. Jade slammed the window shut. She laid her hand over her heart and squeezed her eyes tight to hold back a flood of heartbreak and spoke. “I can’t believe you’re doing this. I just can’t believe it.” She turned 180 degrees to walk away from him and felt her whole life turning around with her. The pain she still carried from Devlin added to Rick’s, as more dreams shattered. What have I done to deserve this, other than to have the courage to love again?
With no hope of a future with Rick, Jade’s feelings about him flipped upside down—he’d never be hers and never get over his issues. She glanced back and saw his face full of fear—fear of loving, fear of losing her yet he did nothing about it. She walked out of his office without saying a word, leaving him in her past as she stepped into her future, and closed the door on him.
Jade hesitated outside the closed door with her ear close to it, listening for Rick to run or call after her. No sound came from the room. He didn’t call out—no regrets, no asking her to wait, to come back, to try again, no apologies, nothing. She walked away, feeling in the middle of a bad dream. By the time she reached the front door she knew it was real and her tears flowed. When she went outside, she saw her entire world change, too, in those few moments. By the time she got to her car, thunder clapped again. Trembling, she looked all around and up to the sky expecting a momentous development, or another hint from God or fate. Her phone rang. It was not God. It was fate—it was Gabriel.
Chapter 16
The sound of Gabriel’s voice calmed the storm inside her. He said he knew she was on her weekend off, but he’d been thinking about her and wondered if she wanted to grab a drink. Jade almost said ‘no’ out of habit. Her car was parked right outside Rick’s office windows and she saw him looking at her with the familiar ‘I-long-for-you, but-I’m-unavailable’ face. Keep on looking, Rick. Watch me take the first step away from you. She spoke into her phone slowly, exaggerating her speech so Rick would see and understand the next word: “G-a-b-e. How nice to hear from you.”
While considering Gabe’s invitation, she looked at Rick’s sad face and something caught in her chest—sorrow—and she hesitated to answer but with hearing Gabe’s voice repeating his question, she snapped back to her senses. What the hell? I might as well have some fun with someone who actually wants to spend time with me. She smiled as she spoke into the phone and glanced back at Rick with a hint of wickedness in her eyes, and said, “Yes, Gabe, I’d love to have a drink with you.”
***
Gabe had expected the usual rejection. Surprised, he looked left, right, and shook his head. Am I dreaming? Is this real? She said ‘Yes.’ Elated, he made plans to meet her at a nice waterfront bar close to her cottage.
Dark clouds dimmed the last of daylight turning the sea a dull green-gray as Gabe waited for her at a table with a view of the ocean. His nerves rumbled along with the crashing surf and thunder roaring. He wasn’t used to these earth-shaking forces of nature so up-close. Flashes of lightning flew like spears illuminating the ocean under their path. Sometimes the unpredictable forces of nature at land’s end, and the immense power of the sea made him feel small and powerless. Until Jade walk into the room. The sight of her made him large and joyful, and optimistic about the potential the night held.
Having lived by the sea, Jade was familiar with its volatile nature. Sometimes it unnerved her, especially if she had to be outside or drive during a terrible storm where the wind and rain hit the windshield like stones. But tonight, she felt safe inside this cozy bar with their table near the fireplace protected from the storm. When she saw the way Gabe looked at her, though, she sensed a different kind of danger—the good and exciting kind. Something about this place, this night, and this man was magical.
Gabe, a little jumpy and nervous, which was out of character for him, blamed it on one of his wishes-come-true sitting in front of him. His mother always told him to be careful what he wished for because he might just get it. This night might lead to him getting what he wanted, and it scared him a little. He ordered a beer, she, a martini. “Whoa,” he said, smiling, “A martini? I don’t think I’ve ever seen you drink anything but wine or beer. Rough day today?”
With a look in her eyes he’d never seen before, with charm directed straight into him, she answered, “I had an awful day, but I think tonight will be a lot better. And it’s starting here with you.”
This was too good to be true in Gabe’s rational mind. He asked where was the catch, the hook, the thing he was missing? He would need to have his wits about him because something was out of character for her to accept his invitation after a year of turning him down. He came up with a plan to stay sharp and on his toes—he’d drink only lite beer and not too much. They’d have a couple drinks, some good talk, laughs and call it a night. Don’t take any chances. There’s plenty of time to find out why she came out with me tonight, whether it was to enjoy me or to make Rick jealous. Something must’ve happened with Rick. With her, the situation always came back to Rick; he was always playing second string to Rick.
But as they talked, she asked honest questions and truly listened to his answers and responded to his feelings. Something had changed in her, as she asked about his history, family, background and how he chose Golden Shores.
“First question is easy,” Jade said, “How and why did you become a chef?”
“I started young with learning to cook out of necessity. Being the youngest of six, I’d help my mother in the kitchen. She made all food from scratch, and I loved watching her put simple ingredients together to create delicious food. Eventually I cooked meals of my own. I had a knack for which ingredients to combine and experimented with lots of spices.” He grinned, “Sure you want to hear all of this?” At her warm smile and nod, Gabe continued.
“When I got out of the service, I went to culinary school in San Antonio, paid for with my veteran’s benefits. I worked entry-level jobs doing every dirty job in cafes and diners, usually working two jobs. I learned everything I could and eventually got a position at a classy restaurant, working my way up to sous chef.” He winked at her. “Pastry is what I do best, though.”
Jade’s eyes sparkled and she puckered her lips, “Oooh, I know—those muffins of yours—they’re the best.”
“That’s me, the best.” He flashed a cocky smile at her. “You’ll have to try some of my other recipes someday.”
Jade tossed her head back and chuckled. “Can’t wait.” Pink color rose in her cheeks with their innuendos. She cleared her throat. “Okay. Back to you. Was all your job experience in San Antonio?”
“Yeah, I was born and raised there, a true born and bred Hispanic Texan,” he kidded. “Of course, it’s a common combination there. I left only to go into the service then went home afterwards. My mom and a couple siblings are still in San Antonio.”
When he mentioned, ‘San Antonio’ Jade shivered recalling how she’d felt when visiting the city. “You won’t believe this, but when I left California to drive out here, I stopped in San Antonio. I’d never been there but something about the city drew me in and charmed me so much I ended up staying for two days.”
“Cool. It’s a great city—tons of great restaurants, bars, food, drink, and music. Lots of cultural events, festivals and partying. People are generally happy there.”
“I sensed the happiness in the air.” Jade held up her drink. “I had a couple of these which added to the intoxicating feeling, especially the area along the river.”
Gabe gave her a thumbs-up. “Good for you. Even without these,” he held up his beer, “there is definitely a party atmosphere along the riverfront. My last job was at one of the best riverside hotel restaurants. I loved that job.”
Jade took a long sip of her drink and swayed her head back and forth remembering the good times there. “Mmm … I took a cruise up and down the river. Everywhere I visited, I felt at home. I kept getting the feeling someone I knew was close by, like I had a connection with someone in the city. I kept looking over my shoulder, but no one ever showed up. I even contemplated living there, I liked it so much.”
“Really? What a coincidence. Out of curiosity, when were you there?”
“This past February.”
Gabe shook his head and shuddered. “This is weird, but it was January when my divorce was final, and my ex moved to California with my daughter. During February, I struggled with the decision to leave because I loved the town so much. I’d sit by the river or have a beer at a riverside café contemplating the pros and cons of moving. I spent almost every day all month, but especially during middle to end of February hanging out down there, looking over the water, and thinking about what I wanted in my life.”
Jade sat up straight in the chair and her mouth dropped open. “Late February is exactly when I was there, about a week after Valentine’s Day. Are you thinking what I’m thinking?”
Gabe peered at her over the top of his bottle. “We might have been in or near the same places at the same time for a couple days?”
“Yes.” Her eyes grew wide and bright with anticipation.
Gabe leaned back in his chair and glanced out over the beach. “Nah, I doubt it.” He looked back at her. “But which hotel did you stay at?”
“I think it was El Rio something—big, fancy hotel.”
“Was it El Rio Hermoso?”
“Yes! You know it?”
Gabe shook his head in disbelief. “Know it? I worked there, and right outside the entrance is where I used to sit and contemplate.”
Jade slapped her hand on the table. “This is too much! We might’ve been sitting a few tables away from each other! Doesn’t seem possible, does it?”
Gabe’s voice quieted; his grin left with a serious look taking its place. “No. But there you were, passing through and loving it so much you considered living there. And there I was, sitting probably a table away from you feeling I had to move away from the painful reminders.”
Jade took a couple swallows of her drink. “It’s too crazy to think we might have been picking up on each other.”
“Nah,” he said, eating a handful of peanuts, faking nonchalance. “It was one of those coincidences, right?”
Jade twirled her glass around and looked out over the ocean. “Uh huh, a coincidence.” Because of his negative response, she didn’t tell him she didn’t believe in coincidences in life, which would’ve implied their lives were meant to converge. His response also probably meant he didn’t want to broach the subject. Maybe she didn’t either, not this night, so she changed the subject to something safe and known. She asked him to tell her about his childhood and all the things contributing to making him the man he was.
It had been a long time since Gabriel shared details of his life with anyone, let alone a woman. But it felt right with Jade. Even more so, as thunder shook the heavens outside and lightning blazed over the ocean, Gabe felt his insides rattle and his dark places illuminate. His soul churned until his secrets strained to be let out to someone he could trust. Now the devil’s and the angel’s voices on both shoulders rang out in unison, each trying to drown the other out. Gabe heard them equally. The angel’s voice urged him to be genuine and honest—because with telling the truth he’d never be sorry. The devil’s voice told him to lie to look good, then seduce her, let her go and if he didn’t, he’d be sorry. But with the devil’s words came the glare of lightning, and thunder growled over the bar shaking Gabe to his core.
Rain poured down in sheets. Gabe didn’t want his life to be an eternal storm, forever threatened with disaster. He wanted his life to be the way he felt inside this room—safe and warm with a beautiful, caring woman to share it with. It was time to listen to the good angel, and so the story of Gabriel Montoro poured out of him as profusely as the rain from above.
Chapter 17
Gabriel Montoro grew up on the poor side of town in the projects, in a family with six children. He was the youngest with fifteen years between him and his oldest brother. Jade had asked why such a wide age range. “I’d have to tell you the story of my parents to explain, and you don’t want to hear those ancient stories.”
“Yes, I do,” she said, touching his arm, her eyes looking with sincere interest.
Gabe’s father’s name was Donatello. He was of Spanish lineage, descended from the conquistadores, traced back to the Basque region of Spain. “I’m sure it’s why he had this instinct to conquer his children and wife, to dominate everyone around him.”
Gabe inherited his blue eyes and lighter skin from his father, his dark hair from his mother, Maria. Donatello’s first wife died young leaving him with five children. Maria confided in Gabriel that she believed the only reason Donatello married her was to raise his children, cook and clean his house. They had a child of their own—Gabriel, who Donatello was hardest on because he believed Maria loved Gabriel most and doted on him and not the stepchildren. Donatello punished her for it and ‘toughened up’ little Gabriel with beatings when he was drunk. Fear of his father and jealousy from the much older stepsiblings filled Gabe’s early years. No one but his mother defended Gabe. He was bullied and left to fend and fight for himself. He learned early on survival meant hiding his sensitive side and being stronger and meaner than the other boys.
Gabriel had grown into a handsome, tall and strong young man who was bright and got good grades. His mother said the bullies and gangs picked on him because they were jealous. Maybe, but they teased Gabe mercilessly—being the youngest of a huge family, not enough money for food, for new clothes or shoes, about his blue eyes so different from everyone else in the projects. They’d called his sisters fat or ugly. Gabe would get so angry he’d want to kill them, but his mother would remind him of his good heart, of how he’d ruin his life if he did that. “Or, worse,” she’d said, “If those hoodlums killed you, I could not live without you, mi hijo.” His mother didn’t need one more thing to worry about, so Gabriel stayed out of the gangs. Even more, he didn’t want to turn into his violent father. He became the lone wolf and so was put in the gangs’ sights even more.
By the time Gabriel hit eleventh grade, he was broad shouldered and strong. He worked out and learned martial arts from a neighbor who’d been in the Marines. He gained the mental knowledge and physical ability to kill the gangsters which gave Gabe confidence, at least in a physical battle; guns and knives were another thing, but he refused to carry them. By the time he graduated, Gabe hoped he’d find no greater racism or ridicule from the world worse than what he’d endured in his own town and culture.
“Wow,” Jade said, “I can’t even imagine growing up in a violent environment with those kinds of problems. Were there a lot of drugs around, too?”
“They were all over. I did some in junior high wanting to fit in with the guys. But I saw so many kids get hooked quickly. My ex-Marine neighbor took me to crack house neighborhoods with addicts on the streets shooting up heroin, homeless people drugged up and dazed like zombies. He explained they got most of their money for drugs by stealing and asked if I saw myself living there on the streets, if I wanted to have such a life. Right then, I knew I’d never touch drugs again. I was ridiculed for that, too. No matter what I did, I couldn’t win or get ahead.”
